NCJW Israel Program Report, May 2009

In this edition:

• Message from Shari Eshet
• New Israeli Policy on Parental Leave for Same-Sex Couples
• 2009 Israel Benefit Luncheon
• NCJW Israel Mission: November 3-9, 2009

Message from Shari Eshet

On the eve of Passover, the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, presented three national awards in recognition of efforts to combat human trafficking. The three award recipients were: the Hotline for Migrant Workers (an NCJW Israel Granting Program recipient for three years), MK Zahava Galon (a friend and colleague of the NCJW Israel Office), and the Tel Aviv Police's central investigations unit. These three recipients were singled out for their "great devotion, as they fearlessly fight for social justice, rooted in the conviction of the country's moral obligation towards the victims of this grave offense."

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has generously supported the work of the Hotline for Migrant Workers in its fight against trafficking, and has helped advocate for legislation that former MK Zahava Galon was successful in passing in the Israeli Knesset. The issue of trafficking is one that NCJW in America has fought against for over 100 years: NCJW was ever-present at the docks assisting and protecting new immigrant young women who had just arrived in America. Since its founding more than 115 years ago, NCJW has worked to protect women and children. At the turn of the twentieth century, NCJW spoke out against exploitation and forced labor. Beginning in 1903, at the behest of the US government, NCJW provided assistance to young female immigrants arriving alone and without resources at Ellis Island -- an effort the organization ultimately brought to over 250 cities protecting them from trafficking and exploitation.

As Jews all over the world have just celebrated Passover, the Festival of Freedom, I would like to recall the words of the President of Israel Shimon Peres at this ceremony: "There is no people that sees liberation - the transition from slavery to freedom - as such a pivotal moment in its history as we do." That the plague of human trafficking was able to contaminate the Jewish state was an embarrassing stain on the nation's character, he said. "It was a betrayal of our heritage." He added, "There is nothing more outrageous than the oppression of women and coercion into prostitution, than taking cruel advantage of people in need or the abuse of foreign laborers who have no standing or rights."

The president called on those being honored to "root out this heinous phenomenon, this deplorable and despicable thing that is human trafficking, which goes against the very notion of society."

Since the work of public education and advocacy for legislation on this issue has begun, Israel's highest court has determined that victims of trafficking are entitled to protection, compensation, and medical treatment. The Israeli Knesset passed a law outlawing all forms of trafficking and we as Jewish women will continue to work hand in hand with our sisters and colleagues in Israel to help implement the law and eradicate the cruel and immoral exploitation of women and strangers.

Shari Eshet
Director, NCJW Israel Office

On March 13, 2009, the Israeli National Insurance Institute (NII) decided to award parental leave to a male couple who are the parents of twin girls, marking a change in policy regarding the rights of same-sex couples in Israel.

NCJW released a statement in response to the new policy, in which NCJW President Nancy Ratzan asserts that the NII's decision "is an important step forward in the march to achieve full equal rights for same-sex couples and their families." She adds, "The new Israeli policy sets an example for other countries lagging behind in granting full rights to same-sex couples, and especially for the United States, which has no national policy on the issue."

Read President Ratzan's full remarks on NCJW's website.

You are invited to join NCJW at the United Nations in New York City on June 4, 2009 as we honor esteemed supporter, pioneering advocate, and dedicated NCJW Board Member Geraldine Soba -- NCJW's outgoing United Nations Representative for over 26 years. The 2009 Israel Benefit Luncheon will also celebrate NCJW's pioneering Israel Program and the continuing partnership of NCJW and US/Israel Women to Women (W2W). The event's keynote speaker is Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Being Israel's Ambassador to the UN is not an easy job and being a woman makes it even more challenging. Please join us. All proceeds will go to support NCJW's programs in Israel. For more information, please email the NCJW Action Line or call 1 800 829 NCJW.

Women and the public sphere, gender discrimination, a state dominated by a patriarchal religious order, and other aspects of Israeli women's lives will be the lens through which the participants of the NCJW Mission to Israel will be looking when they travel to Israel in November. We will meet the women who are most affected by legal and social issues as well as the women who take action for positive and progressive change. Please join us for is once in a lifetime experience.

To learn more about the NCJW Israel Mission and disover how you can take part, write to ncjwisrael@gmail.com.